The Revelation: What happens when the Scriptures talk about a future event in the past tense?\? You know, like it has already taken place? We give Thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast, because Thou hast taken (past tense) Thy great power and hast begun (again, past tense) to reign. Revelation 11:17 God once again reveals His amazing sovereignty, tha's what!

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Preparing for the End: Let's cut to the chase... This is Part 2 of our look at Jonathan Edwards' message, Religious Affections. It helps us come to grips with what John the Apostle said in 1 John... These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 And the operative word is, know!

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Preparing for the End: Do you remember Jonathan Edwards? Yeah, the guy who sang, "Sunshine." Uh, no. Same name, wrong guy. What Jonathan Edwards are you talking about? I'm talking about Jonathan Edwards of the Great Awakening fame. The Jonathan Edwards who, on July 8th, 1741, preached "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." You know, the Jonathan Edwards who wrote Religious Affections back in 1746. Do you remember that Jonathan Edwards? If you don't, you should.

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The Revelation: They seemed to come from nowhere, proclaiming the dire warnings of God. And then, overnight, they were everywhere! Who are these guys? "And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy (lit: to speak forth, to proclaim, to preach) for (how long) twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." Let's learn about these two guys.

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The Revelation: You could hear their voices, those who cried out from under the altar, those who have been slain because of the word of God and for the testimony of the Lord they had maintained. Their cry and their question was simple. "How long, O Lord? How long will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" The answer? Both sobering and frightening.

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Preparing for the End: You could hear their voices, those who cried out from under the altar, those who have been slain because of the word of God and for the testimony of the Lord they had maintained. Their cry and their question was simple. "How long, O Lord? How long will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" The answer? Sobering. Frightening. As the church strove for unity, the enemy tried to bury her in the ground. Just like he continues to do today. That ugly, ignorant jerk! But the church has a secret weapon... and, unlike us today, they weren't afraid to use it. They weren't afraid to go nuclear, as we say. Ever wonder what that secret weapon was? Ever wonder how we can recapture some of the power and awe of the early church? Ever wonder "what the heck is going on" on Sunday? Stay tuned and listen...

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The Revelation: Some of the most chilling words in all of the Revelation... at least up to this point. "And the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see or hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts." Pretty dang stupid, if you ask me.

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Preparing for the End: We like to live in a Two Stage Christian arena. Stage One, you become a Christian. Stage Two, you become a Disciple. Actually, that's just a bunch of bunk. The book of Acts states about those in Antioch, "and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." Note the order. Note the sermon. Why don't you have a listen.

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Preparing for the End: A couple of days in Nashville for the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and I feel like a new man. And it had nothing to do with the music, the artists, the seminars, or even the six meals per day we ate or the 50 bands or so we saw. No, it had everything to do with the Lord speaking to me about a ministry I had misplaced. Actually, I had lost it. He helped me find my lost ministry of reconciliation. And it has rocked my world!

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The Revelation: Can you imagine being in so much pain and torment that you longed for death, prayed for death, begged to die? Can you imagine trying to kill yourself, repeatedly, to no avail? I can't imagine much worse than that, can you? Well, be warned, that day is coming. And it's coming to all that don't have the seal of God on their forehead. Sound strange? Confusing? Why don't you join with us and listen...

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The Revelation: On April 26, 1986 at 1:23 in the morning, the reactor number four at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant located in the Soviet Union near Pripyat in Ukraine exploded. Further explosions and the resulting fire sent a plume of highly radioactive fallout into the atmosphere and over an extensive geographical area. Nearly thirty to forty times more fallout was released than Hiroshima. Do you remember? You should. You need to.

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Preparing for the End: This is a small statement often neglected from contemporary Gospel presentations. Just three small requirements that will literally change everything! "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must (1) deny himself, and (2) take up his cross daily and (3) follow Me." Luke 9:23 Do you wish to come after Him? Really?

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The Revelation: Most people scoff at those who bought into and prepared for Y2K. Remember? "Aw, it was a real non-event. Much-to-do about 'nuthin." "Just a money-making scheme by those radical survivalists types." "Yep, sure shot Biblical prophecy in the foot, didn't it?" Well, not really. Care to take a listen?

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The Revelation: James says, the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. But, what kind of prayer is he talking about? Just think, the prayer of Revelation 6 becomes the judgment of Revelation 8. Oh, forgot what that prayer was, did you? How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth? Revelation 6:10 In other words, party time! Doesn't sound much like our Wednesday night prayer meeting kind of prayers, does it?

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Preparing for the End Can I get a witness? shouts the house. Sure. How 'bout this... Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:45, 50-53 Don't get no better than that!

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Preparing for the End Jesus had some really scary words to say when He talked about forgiveness. Oh, not the Lord's forgiveness of our sins, but the sharing of the same grace we received to others. And I mean really scary. Consider this... For (condition) if you forgive others for their transgressions, (result) your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But (condition) if you do not forgive others, then (result) your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15 Need we say more?

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Preparing for the End Often our spiritual life can be compared to a John Wayne movie. Oh, really? Yeah, really. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Sounds like the battle of Iwo Jima to me.

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The Acts! The Acts record the church life of the early church as being radically different than church life today. Consider, for example... And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. You know, that's pretty radical living! Can I trust you enough to live that way? Or, if I do, am I going to end up abused, forgotten, abandoned and alone? Good question. You got a good answer?

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The Acts! You know, all this preaching on the selfish "felt needs" of fallen man gets a little old, especially when you compare it to the preaching of Peter in the book of Acts. Sounds, as Alan Parsons would say, "like psychobabble rap to me." I don't know why I'm scared of the lightning Trying to reach me Help me to find what I don't wanna know You're taking me there but I don't wanna go I don't care it's all psychobabble rap to me Psychobabble all psychobabble Psychobabble all psychobabble I don't care it's all psychobabble rap to me

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The Acts! Just a couple of quick quotes from the movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: Butch Cassidy: Ah, you're wasting your time. They can't track us over rocks. Sundance Kid: Tell them that. Butch Cassidy: (after looking for himself) Who are those guys? Butch Cassidy: (about the trackers following them) I couldn't do that. Could you do that? Why can they do it? Who are those guys? Sundance Kid: Hey, Butch? Butch Cassidy: What? Sundance Kid: They're very good.

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The Revelation! I know it's very unpopular to talk about the two, dual natures of God. You know, His mercy side and His wrath side. That's right, wrath. The wrath of God. And the wrath of the Lamb. Remember, from the Revelation... "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Won't hear about His wrath on TBN, will you?

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The Revelation! When faced with the choice of exalting God's sovereignty or demanding my free will, I choose to choose God. Always. Without fail. Why? Think about Psalm 115:3. Our God is in His heavens, and He does what He pleases. Pretty powerful stuff, isn't it?

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The Revelation! Classic Barry McGuire. Remember? Like way back when in 1965? And you tell me over and over and over again my friend, that you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction. But we are. Big time! Let's talk about it, shall we?

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The Revelation! Remember "One" - the Three Dog Night song of the late 60's? I think the lyrics went something like this... One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do Two can be as bad as one It's the loneliest number since the number one Ahem. Not too deep or profound, but sure fitting for the church age in which we live.

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The Revelation! It's like playing chess with Bobby Fischer. Bishop, Knight, Rook, Pawn... all power pieces in the Grandmaster's end game. Gog, Magog, Meshech and Tubal... huh? Like what kind of chess pieces are these? And who exactly is this Grandmaster? Stay tuned and find out...

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The Revelation! "You ain't never seen nuthin' like the presto-chango, big Lion to the little Lamb, bing, bang, boom thing, that ol' John saw. No sir. It take yo' bref away." Excuse me? "Oh, yea. It say that John saw a Lamb as if slain when he spose to be seein' a Lion or a Root or somtin' like dat. It be outta 'dis world! It be like a Houdini or somethin'. Really powerful."

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The Revelation! How many ways can the Bible teach us about the same thing? For example... Daniel calls it "time, times and half time" and the "middle of the 70th week." John in the Revelation refers to it as "42 months" and later as "1,260 days." Jesus calls it the Great Tribulation... and it's right on our doorstep. What is? The 3 1/2 year period known as the Great Tribulation, that's what. "Ain't you been reading the papers or watching the news? What, you been raised in a barn?"

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The Revelation! Let's see, "She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah!" or... "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come." Wow. Some difference. The Fab Four, the Mop Tops, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band... or the Four Living Creatures before the throne. Geez. This deserves a bit more investigation.

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The Revelation! I think Steve Camp says it best... The world was a very good friend of mine It promised everything I wanted in life It came to me with its passion and gold I bought it for a while it nearly cost me my soul. Don't you know the world will tease you, it will seize you, it will squeeze you until you are in to its mold Love the world and the love of the Father is not in us. Pretty strong, but true, words.

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The Revelation! Reminds me of the classic, Bill Clinton, "I'm only lying when my lips are moving" mantra of denying marital infidelity. "I have never had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. I've never had an affair with her." Really? Should we believe what you say or should we believe what you do? Great questions for a President facing impeachment. Better question for us, the church.

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The Revelation! Do you remember Star Trek, the transporter room, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock? Do you also remember these words: "I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." Is there a connection? You bet! Let's take a look at it together.

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The Revelation! Ah, classic, American Idol, Paula Abdul pop logic. But, it's true when applied to the literal interpretation of the Scriptures. Or, let's put it another way: When the literal sense makes good sense, Seek no other sense, Lest it lead to nonsense. Why don't we take a look at the importance of the literal interpretation of the Bible together. Shall we?

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The Revelation! Remember Ivan Drago, the Russian boxing machine in Rocky III? Sure you do. Do you remember his chilling words to Apollo Creed and the Italian Stallion? To Apollo, right before their first fight, "I must break you." Then, to Rocky, at the beginning of their last and final round, "You're dead." Chilling words. Kinda like what the Lord said to the church at Sardis. Really. No lie. Why don't we take a look at them together.

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The Revelation! "Downside? What downside?" you ask. "How can there be a downside to love?" Simple. Sometimes love, if wrongly focused, can turn into misplaced loyalty... uh, which almost always leads to a profound tolerance of sin. And just think, we do all this under the guise of "love". Does that seem harsh to you? Maybe heartless? A bit intolerant? Well, it is. And it comes from the very lips of the Lord. Tune in to find out more...

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The Revelation! Oh yeah, this one gets a bit nasty... makes us somewhat uncomfortable. Just like we feel when we uncover the slimy body of a North Carolina slug lurking under a rock or a kid's toy left out overnight in the backyard. Yuck! You know, there are some strange things that live in the shadows. In life, as well as in church. Tune in to find out more...

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The Revelation! First, Jesus' description of the church in Laodicea: "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing..." Then, His words to the church in Smyrna: "I know your tribulation and your poverty..." Where would you like to attend? What church do you think would have the best Youth Group, a kickin' Praise Band and a state-of-the-art new Family Life Center? Which church appeals to you? Exactly!

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The Revelation! This from the Didache (AD 50-70) and deals with the subject of false prophets and apostles. It is like a policy manual for the early church: Welcome every apostle on arriving, as if he were the Lord. But he must not stay beyond one day. In case of necessity, however, the next day also. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet. On departing, an apostle must not accept anything save sufficient food to carry him till his next lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. Kinda puts TBN in a bad light, doesn't it?

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The Revelation! Listen to the words of John when he turned to see Jesus for the first time in 60 years... "When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man." And all this from the lips of one who was known as the disciple Jesus loved. The very one who placed his head on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper and asked, "Who is it Lord? Who will betray You?" Kinda makes us seem somewhat flippant, doesn't it? Stay tuned and find out.

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The Revelation! No, we're not talking about Armani or Gucci or even something from the Versace Collection. These clothes speak of something far greater than mere fashion. Oh, much, much greater. "I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash." It gets better. Check it out!

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The Revelation! Yeah, you heard right. Ears. Do you have ears? You know, the fleshy, shell-shaped knobs glued to each side of your head. Do you have ears? If so, great! But do you have ears to hear what the Lord says? Sure hope so... Why don't we find out together, shall we?

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The Revelation! That's right. He's not just coming. He's on the way! Know this first of all, that (when) in the last days (what) mockers will come with their mocking, (why) following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." - 1 Peter 3:3-4 May I simply say...uh, like not!

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The Revelation! Breathe deep and remember... You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me. - John 5:39 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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The Revelation! You've got to be kidding! We were never to read the Revelation. Never! Why, you ask. Because it was mystical, cryptic, puzzling and kind of scary. In fact, as kids we were all warned by our Sunday school teachers, an old, solemn man with a Vincent Price look about him, to never read the Revelation alone, or at night, or on the third Tuesday of May every other leap year. If we did, we could go blind or crazy or even worse... we could end up wearing our whitie-tighties on the outside of our pants. Arrgh! That thought still keeps me up late at night.

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Every Saturday afternoon when I was a kid: John Wayne, in Technicolor, bigger than life! He always stood for what was right, just, strong, and I guess, oh, just plain manly. On Sunday mornings, however, I never seemed to find a John Wayne type of figure in my church. You know, God's man that stood for what was right, just, and strong. Ever wonder why? You know, there are still some men of God out there that say what needs to be said and who live to please their Lord. They, I guess, are those I look up to... my spiritual heroes. Wanna meet one...

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On Sunday, January 7, 2007, my son Justus discovered that his beloved pet, Patch, was dead. She was old, real old. In fact, we're not exactly sure how old she was. Saturday night... everything's the same. Sunday morning... life changes forever. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that there's no way you can derive some spiritual truths from the death of a dog. Especially when that dog is your son's beloved pet. Well, you're wrong. Dead wrong.

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It is amazing how close we think we can get to the edge of sin and still wonder why we struggle with our flesh. Like, duh! Like, how stupid is that! And, sadly, the church reflects that struggle, compounded by the millions. Do we really think we can "claim to have fellowship with the light and yet walk in darkness" and believe that Jesus is OK with that? Ugh. Stay tuned and find out...

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"'Come out with your hands up,' the man says. How do ya like that, Ma? Here's my answer, ya dirty..." He fires his tommy-gun at the police. "That was Cody Jarrett talking! They think they've got Cody Jarrett. They haven't got Cody Jarrett. You hear? They haven't got him. And I wanna show ya. They haven't got him. Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" No, actually wrong. Big-time wrong. Let's talk about it, shall we?

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